How could Covid affect cycling shoes? The global pandemic has changed lots about the cycling industry — but could changes to cycling shoes be an another unexpected outcome? IBFI President and UK bike fitter Andy Brooke tries his theory out for size.
H
ere’s a fun little thought experiment. How
work from home, they will be more likely to wear
will Covid impact cycling shoes? And no,
comfier, wider options like slippers or trainers — or
for once it’s a not a supply chain issue.
often won’t wear shoes at all. There’s lots of
And whilst it might lead to increased sales, it’s not
research out there about walking barefoot and foot
related to the global explosion in cycling that Covid
width. Cultures that predominantly wear sandals
helped create. Give up?
or are barefoot have much wider feet than those
I think we all see a lot of customers with shoes
that are customarily shod (not a typo, just not a
that are far too narrow, and that trend may
common word. When you wear clothes,
increase over the next few months and years. The pandemic has resulted in a lot of people working from home, and that shift looks set to continue long after Covid restrictions ease around the world. Companies have found ways to work
you’re clothed, when you wear shoes,
“Spending more time barefoot actually widens your feet.”
you’re shod). Widening feet Spending more time barefoot actually widens your feet. So, working from home
around not being in the office anymore,
and not wearing dress shoes might
and it’s rumoured that several big
actually result in a lot of people ending up
employers are considering making that
with wider feet. Don’t be surprised if
switch a permanent one. Fewer staff in
people say their work shoes feel a little
the office, means employers can rent
tight when they returned after Covid, it’s
smaller office buildings and save money. So, while
not uncommon. But given that cycling shoes are
working from home might not have been too
often very narrow as well, you might find a lot of
popular with many bosses before Covid, it looks
customers are now complaining of foot pain in
like it’s here to stay for a while yet.
shoes that never used to cause them issues.
Unless foot width is something you record and can Swapping dress shoes for slippers
go back and compare, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to
So how does working from home impact cycling
quantify the change, but if your clients are noticing
shoes? When men and women go into an office,
a difference, this might be the reason. Let’s hope
they often wear dress shoes or heels, which aren’t
the industry reacts and we see a lot more wide
the widest shoes in the world. But when people
fitting options from brands in the future.
